NEW RELEASES: SUNNY & THE SUNLINERS – MR. BROWN EYED SOUL; SEAL - STANDARDS; DOME 25 YEARS: 50 CLASSIC TRACKS (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

SUNNY & THE SUNLINERS – MR. BROWN EYED SOUL

Insanely wonderful work from the Texas scene at the end of the 60s – a huge collection of the English language soul songs of Sunny & The Sunliners! The group first hit national fame in the earlier part of the 60s, with a sweet falsetto crossover hit – but as the decade moved on, they balanced their music equally between Spanish and English tunes – the former in more of a Tex-Mex mode, the latter in a wonderful version of sweet soul! In a way, Sunny's work here is a lot like Joe Bataan during his Sweet Soul years – a heartbreaking blend of Latin roots and east coast soul – produced with a rootsy vibe that really gets right to the heart of the matter! Sunny's work has never been reissued properly – especially the soul tracks from this period – and the collection is an ear-opening listen all the way through – and one that should hopefully put the group right up there with material by The Delfonics, Moments, and other sweet soul groups. Titles include "Smile Now Cry Later", "Put Me In Jail", "Should I Take You Home", "Cross My Heart", "Get Down", "Rain Makes Me Blue", "Outside Looking In", "My Dream", and "Open Up Your Love Door". ~ Dusty Groove

  

SEAL - STANDARDS

British soul legend Seal returns with his new album, ‘Standards’ - combining his unique voice with some of the greatest jazz standards and swing classics ever written. “I’m so delighted to announce that my brand new album, Standards, is out November 10th. This is the album I have always wanted to make. I grew up listening to music from the Rat Pack era, so recording these timeless tunes was a lifelong dream.” “It was a true honour to collaborate with the same musicians who performed with Frank Sinatra and so many of my favourite artists, in the very same studios where the magic was first made - it was one of the greatest days of my recording career.” Seal’s new album brings the glamour of Old Hollywood straight to the present, and his signature, velvety warm vocals bring to life classics made popular by Frank Sinatra (such as Luck Be A Lady, I’ve Got You Under My Skin and It Was A Very Good Year), Ella Fitzgerald (I’m Beginning to See The Light) and Nina Simone (I Put A Spell on You). Available on CD, Deluxe Signed CD, and Vinyl.

DOME 25 YEARS: 50 CLASSIC TRACKS (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Includes: This I Swear (Richard Darbyshire); I’m Back for More (Bob Jones Club Remix by Lulu feat. Bobby Womack); I Want You Back (Sinclair); Flavour of the Old School (Beverley Knight); For Your Love (Hil St Soul); Enough Is Enough (Dennis Taylor); Gonna Get Over You (Full Flava Mix by Beverlei Brown); Betcha Wouldn't Hurt Me (Change Has Come Mix by Full Flava feat. Donna Gardier); Until You Come Back to Me (Acoustic Version by Hil St Soul); It's Alright (Cooly's Hot Box); This I Promise You (D-Influence feat. Shola Ama); Stories (Full Flava feat. Carleen Anderson); Can't Get You out of My Head (Incognito); Talk About It (Seek); Make You Smile (Brenda Russell); The One for Me (Rahsaan Patterson); Watching You (Avani feat. Rahsaan Patterson, Carl McIntosh); Starship (Conya Doss); Sausalito (George Duke); Future Street ( Martha Redbone); My Door Is Open (Carleen Anderson); Stay Awhile (Don-E); Fooled by a Smile (Julie Dexter feat. Khari Simmons); Words (Anthony David feat. India.Arie); If I Were You (Donnie); Slippin' (Mikelyn Roderick); Been in Love (Eric Roberson feat. Phonte); To Love Again (Gordon Chambers feat. Ledisi); After the Dance (James Taylor Quartet feat. Omar); Distant Lover (Heston); Fall in Love (Tortured Soul); Real Love (Drizabone Soul Family feat. Nataya); All in Me (Angela Johnson feat. Darien); I Got Sunshine (Avery Sunshine); Never in Your Sun (Khari Cabral Simmons feat. India.Arie); So Cold (Don-E feat. D'Angelo); Dealing (Eric Roberson feat. Lalah Hathaway); Lowdown (Incognito feat. Mario Biondi, Chaka Khan); Got to Let My Feelings Show (Bluey); Nature's Call (Shaun Escoffery); 4 Evermore (Anthony David feat. Algebra); A Universal Vibe (Down To The Bone); What Color Is Love (Citrus Sun feat. Valerie Etienne); Call My Name (Avery Sunshine); Music and Its Magical Way (Jarrod Lawson); Can't Keep Rhythm from a Dancer (Tortured Soul); Yeah (The Layabouts Remix by Imaani); Unconditional Love (Greg Dean feat. Chantae Cann, Jarrod Lawson); Ain't No Time (Gil Cang Extended Mix by Shaun Escoffery); and Morning Love (Simon Law feat. Caron Wheeler).

NEW RELEASES: SOUL TOGETHERNESS 2017; SOUL FESTIVAL 1971-1979 SOULFUL FLOORFILLERS; ORNETTE COLEMAN – ORNETTE AT 12 / CRISIS

SOUL TOGETHERNESS 2017 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Expansion’s most successful and longest running compilation series returns with a 2017 edition. The concept remains the same, fifteen must-have modern soul room gems taken from the year’s biggest dance floor spins on the soul scene. While tracks here have topped UK soul charts, many have not been available in all formats. Once again, attention is paid to the ‘flow’ of the 15 gems chosen here from shuffling beats to boogie to more soulful house as played at modern soul events. Participants this year include Omar with Los Charly’s Orchestra, Tawatha Agree (voice of Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit”) with Aeroplane, Kenny Thomas with Thames River Soul produced by and featuring Incognito, and both Wez and The Groove Association formerly members of Brit Funk group Second Image. Leela James is here after her stint in a US realty TV show “R&B Divas: Los Angeles”, other guests including Amp Fiddler, Faith Evans, Trina Broussard and Lifford.

SOUL FESTIVAL 1971-1979 SOULFUL FLOORFILLERS (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

While “Soul Togetherness” on Expansion continues to feature the best new floor fillers of each year, “Soul Festival” is here now with a collection of music reflecting the label’s love of 70s soul. “Soul Festival” spans the period from when new soul music took influence from the Northern soul we enjoy here at UK clubs and events. As the decade progressed, records became more lavish in their arrangement and grander in production, always with that essential soul feel, and that’s what you will find here on this compilation. Music from this era is thankfully plentiful, always something to discover or enjoy all over again. Much has been reissued before, not always legally or of great sound quality, and so the intention of this series is to bring tracks together on both LP vinyl and CD of a high standard that are rare or have not previously appeared on one of these formats or the other.

ORNETTE COLEMAN – ORNETTE AT 12 / CRISIS

As the man who basically invented free jazz and even coined the term, Ornette Coleman has had the vast majority of his catalog reissued on CD, and rightfully so. But there are two records, both released on the legendary Impulse! label, that have somehow escaped digitization until now, The first, 1969’s Ornette at 12, features Ornette on alto sax, trumpet, and violin with Dewey Redman on tenor sax, long-time collaborator Charlie Haden on bass, and son Denardo (age 12 at the time of the 1968 recording) on drums. The jazz world was still getting over the effrontery of Denardo playing drums—he had made his debut two years earlier on The Empty Foxhole—which may explain why this one’s remained in the vaults till now. But Redman’s playing on tenor is just stellar, and Ornette’s untrained trumpet and violin technique make a nice foil for Denardo’s fresh approach to the traps. Another boundary-pushing record in a career full of them. But if it’s a puzzle that Ornette at 12 has not been previously reissued, it’s a downright mystery why 1972’s Crisis also hasn’t come out; recorded live in 1969 at N.Y.U. with a killer band of Redman, Haden, Denardo, and Don Cherry on flute and trumpet, it takes its place with Broken Shadows and Science Fiction as one of Ornette’s great small group recordings of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. The version of Haden’s “Song for Che” is one of the best on record, the rendition of “Broken Shadows” here is simply beautiful, which is not a term many associate with Coleman’s playing, and the addition of Don Cherry—fresh from his own experiments in Indian and African music—spices up what is already a pretty heady brew. Real Gone Music’s two-for-one reissue of this pair of albums features the original gatefold album art and an essay by Howard Mandel, author of Miles, Ornette, Cecil: Jazz Beyond Jazz. Remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision from original tape sources.

NEW RELEASES: ROSCOE MITCHELL - DISCUSSIONS; SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA – UNDER BURNING SKIES; JERRY BERGONZI – DOG STAR

ROSCOE MITCHELL - DISCUSSIONS

The title's an apt one – as the music here is based on the improvisations from Roscoe Mitchell's earlier Conversations albums – but recast in a whole new way for an improvising orchestra! The group here features Mitchell on sopranino sax – a very strong voice out in the lead – but the larger ensemble really has a lot to add to the sound, in a lineup that includes flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, and oboe – reed elements used by Mitchell as in some of his previous "serious music" experiments – then mixed with violin, viola, electronics, trumpet, trombone, and percussion. The sound is a wonderful bridge between the compositional world of Mitchell and some of his looser small group improvisations – and the album satisfied both sides of that sonic spectrum in a great way. Titles include "Cascade", "Cracked Roses", "Who Dat", "Frenzy House", "Home Screen", and "I'll See You Out There".  ~ Dusty Groove

SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA – UNDER BURNING SKIES

Excellent work from Souljazz Orchestra – a group who've consistently been one of the strongest contemporary Afro Funk ensembles for the past decade or so! There's a richness to the Souljazz approach that sets them apart from other groups that might just be going through the motions – especially in the way that they always know that the sound of the sum of their parts is very reliant on the parts – which mean that the individual musicians are quite strong, and burst out with very vibrant energy every time they get to take a solo! These guys are also never stuck in a groove – and really have found a way to refine and update their sound – this time around by maybe borrowing a bit more from some early 80s African roots and styles, of the sort that have had strong discovery in recent years. Titles include "Dog Eat Dog", "Lufunki", "Under Burning Skies", "Adawe Boogie", "Aduna Jarul Naawo", "Tambour A Deux Peaux", and "Oblier Pour Un Jour".  ~ Dusty Groove

JERRY BERGONZI – DOG STAR

Jerry Bergonzi has been making records for decades – yet lately, he seems to be finding an even fresher way forward – with a set like this that can grab us right from the very first note, and having us get excited all over again about his music! Bergonzi's tenor sound is tremendous – that raw tone that's been building up right from the start – but maybe the strongest element here is the group, which seems to have this soaring vision that's even more than the sum of its parts – driven on by this excellent presence on bass from Johnny Aman, whose dark notes really color the music, and open up the moodiest side of Bergonzi's music – alongside the excellent Carl Winther on piano, who wrote songs on the record alongside Jerry – plus Phil Grenadier on trumpet, and Anders Mogensen on drums. The trumpet/tenor pairing, quite familiar in jazz, somehow manages to find all these new places throughout – bursting out beautifully on titles that include "Pleiades", "Dog Star", "Darkness", "Live Stream", "Vertigo", and "Repor-Pa-Int".  ~ Dusty Groove

PIANIST HIROMI AND HARPIST EDMAR CASTANEDA FORGE A UNIQUELY THRILLING NEW SOUND ON THEIR DEBUT DUO ALBUM

Live in Montreal captures the Japanese pianist and the Colombian harpist in an electrifying and emotional set from the 2017 Montreal International Jazz Festival

Two of the most electrifying and original voices in contemporary jazz come together on Live in Montreal, the thrilling new album from Hiromi and Edmar Castaneda. Captured live at the 2017 Montreal International Jazz Festival, the album features the Japanese pianist/composer and the Colombian harpist finding common ground on Canadian soil, joining forces for a duo set that’s alternately – and at times simultaneously – engaging, explosive, moving, intricate and infectious.

Set for release October 6, 2017 on Telarc, a division of Concord Music Group, Live in Montreal was recorded exactly one year from the day when Hiromi and Castaneda first met. It was at the 2016 edition of the Montreal International Jazz Festival that the harpist was scheduled to open for a performance of Hiromi’s Trio Project. Each caught the other’s set and instantly fell under one another’s spell, as so many audiences had done before.

“I didn't really know what to expect,” Hiromi remembers. “When I heard Edmar play I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. It was a jaw-dropping experience. I didn't realize the harp could create such rhythm and groove. I only knew about classical harp, so my image of the instrument was very different. His way of playing was pure energy, full of passion - I was just blown away.”

For his part, Castaneda was equally awed by Hiromi’s set that night. “Her trio was burning, really crazy. The energy that she produced was the same as I like to play. I realized that we share the same passion for our instruments.”

After the show that night the two broached the topic of a collaboration, but so often that kind of backstage talk gets forgotten the moment that each side moves on to the next town. Fortunately that didn’t happen this time around, and it was less than two weeks later that Castaneda’s phone rang with an invitation to join Hiromi for a weeklong engagement at New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club. The moment they began to meld their distinctive sounds, the chemistry they’d suspected was more than confirmed.

“We both clearly remember the first few minutes of playing together in soundcheck,” Hiromi says. “It was really magical and effortless. It felt like all the musical notes that we created were happy to be together. It was like dancing.”

From the blooming string swell that opens Castaneda’s “A Harp in New York,” the duo’s synchronicity is gorgeously apparent. As a duo, their shared intuitions lead them from moments of serene beauty into bursts of propulsive momentum, leaving the listener floating with the perfect balance of tranquility and drive. The opening tug-of-war on “For Jaco” elicits appreciative laughter from the Montreal audience, providing a glimpse of the sheer joy that the pair finds in playing together. The tune’s buoyant groove was created in tribute to the legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, whose brilliant art and tragic life proved both inspiration and cautionary tale for Castaneda.

“I was so impressed - and I’m still impressed - by all the tones and options Jaco created on the four string bass,” Castaneda says. “He inspired me to keep doing what I do on the harp, to try to show a different face of the instrument to people. At the same time, he showed me what not to do, how to try to be a musician but not try to go on the bad path that he took. I learned a lot from him, both personal and technical.”

Hiromi’s stunningly lyrical “Moonlight Sunshine” was written in response to the devastating tsunami and earthquake suffered by her native Japan in 2011. Though she’s performed it in the past with bass giant Stanley Clarke, it’s a perfect fit for the soul-stirring virtuosity of both of these players. Their shared musical passions turn more fiery on the album’s closer, an entrancingly sultry take on Astor Piazzolla’s immortal “Libertango.”

John Williams’ familiar “Cantina Band” from Star Wars swings the mood in the other direction, its playful spirit rendered in an arrangement that evokes Django Reinhardt’s gypsy swing, Calypso rhythms, and saloon-style stride piano. Hiromi, a diehard Star Wars fan from childhood, had long been looking for an outlet to tackle the tune, while Castaneda, shockingly for anyone born in the late ‘70s, has still never seen the film.

The centerpiece of the set is Hiromi’s four-part suite “The Elements,” composed especially for this duo. “I couldn't find anything written for this particular instrument combination, and I also wanted to write something for the way we played,” Hiromi explains. “I was imagining Edmar’s sound and it reminded me a lot of sounds in nature.” Each piece imaginatively reflects its subject: the weightless of “air,” the gritty, deep-rooted groove of “earth,” the shimmering fluidity of “water,” the roiling simmer of “fire.”

Most importantly, the suite allows the duo to show off the limitless range of their approaches to their instruments, especially Castaneda’s relatively unfamiliar (in jazz settings) harp. “She really studied what I do and wrote for the way that I play,” Castaneda says. “I always try to be away from ‘harp,’ all these glissandos and soft sounds. It was really nice to have grooves and a different approach to harmony and the combination of the voices in this suite.”

The final element in the concert was provided by the famously appreciative Montreal audience. One of the most renowned jazz festivals in the world, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, as it’s known north of the border, attracts true lovers of the music, who listen raptly and respond enthusiastically. It was as much for that reason as for the nostalgic thrill of returning to the same site where they’d met a year prior that the duo chose to record at the festival.

“I always love the audience in Montreal,” Hiromi says. “I always felt that they listen to the music with the same dynamics that we play it. They can be really loud and cheerful, but at the same time they can be really focused and quiet. That combination is very rare and amazing, and it puts me in the perfect mood to record.”

Not that either she or Castaneda need much encouragement beyond the spark they feel from each other’s inspiration. Live in Montreal captures all the exuberance and virtuosity that both bring to all of their music, with the added thrill of the new that comes with such an unusual pairing. “It takes courage to come hear a new combination of instruments,” Hiromi says – though she shrugs off the courage it takes to be part of creating such a new sound. “I can assure everyone that it will be a very exciting, brand new experience.”

Melissa Manchester: Through the Eyes of Love-The Complete Arista 7" Singles (2CD-Set)

“Please, don’t let this feeling end…” The sentiment of that famous lyric is one shared by listeners every time Melissa Manchester begins to sing. From her earliest pop hits through her recent triumphs on the jazz charts, Manchester’s voice has always resonated with warmth and power. In 1975, she was one of a handful of select talents chosen by Clive Davis to inaugurate his Arista Records label, and during her near-decade on the label, the fiercely independent artist established herself as both a singer and songwriter. 

Inspired by the trailblazing Laura Nyro, the onetime student of Paul Simon scored a crossover smash with the beautifully intimate “Midnight Blue,” established such songs as “Don’t Cry Out Loud” and the Oscar-nominated “Theme from Ice Castles (Through the Eyes of Love)” as standards, and reinvented herself as a contemporary dance diva with the Grammy-winning “You Should Hear How She Talks About You.” All of those songs and many more—including over fifteen chart hits—can be heard on Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records’ Through the Eyes of Love—The Complete Arista 7” Singles Collection. 

This landmark release brings together every one of Manchester’s Arista 45 RPM releases, all in their original single versions featuring 23 unique single mixes/edits, for a total of 43 tracks on two discs. These timeless recordings fusing pop, rock, soul, R&B, new wave, dance, jazz, and plenty of heart have been newly remastered from the original tapes by Mike Piacentini at Sony’s Battery Studios, and present Melissa’s hits on CD as they were first heard on the radio between 1975 and 1984. Through the Eyes of Love boasts several worldwide CD premieres such as the single version of “My Boyfriend’s Back” (heard as part of a medley in its album version), and as a special bonus, the extended 12-inch mix of “You Should Hear How She Talks About You;” Joe Marchese of The Second Disc provides new liner notes based on an exclusive interview with Melissa herself. Clocking in at 157 minutes, Through the Eyes of Love: The Complete Arista 7” Singles is the most comprehensive Melissa Manchester anthology ever, and reveals just why she became the cherished voice of a generation.

Disc : 1

1. Midnight Blue

2. I Got Eyes

3. Just Too Many People

4. This Lady's Not Home

5. Just You and I

6. My Sweet Thing

7. Better Days

8. Sing, Sing, Sing

9. Rescue Me

10. Happy Endings

11. Monkey See, Monkey Do

12. So's My Old Man

13. Be Somebody

14. Dirty Work

15. I Wanna Be Where You Are

16. No One's Ever Seen This Side of Me

17. Don't Cry Out Loud (Single Version)

18. We Had This Time

19. Theme from Ice Castles (Through the Eyes of Love)

20. Such a Morning

21. Pretty Girls

22. Fire in the Morning

Disc : 2

1. It's All in the Sky Above

2. Lights of Dawn

3. If This Is Love

4. Talk

5. Without You

6. Boys in the Backroom

7. Lovers After All

8. Happier Than I've Ever Been

9. Race to the End (Theme from "Chariots of Fire")

10. Long Goodbyes

11. You Should Hear How She Talks About You

12. Hey Ricky (You're a Low-Down Heel)

13. Come In from the Rain

14. Nice Girls

15. My Boyfriend's Back

16. Looking for the Perfect Aah

17. No One Can Love You More Than Me

18. White Rose

19. I Don't Care What the People Say

20. Emergency

21. You Should Hear How She Talks About You

NEW RELEASES: COSTAS ANDREOU – OBSERVATION POINT; VIBRATION BLACK FINGER - GUADI; ADAM RUDOPLH’S MOVING PICTURES – GLARE OF THE TIGER

COSTAS ANDREOU – OBSERVATION POINT

The new album Observation Point by Costas Andreou has just been released. The new, fourth solo album by Costas Andreou, Observation Point, features ten instrumental music songs. The album was created by musician Costas Andreou with the sounds of fretless electric bass, processed in real time with custom electronics. The album Observation Point is a live sound recording, an atmospheric music adventure through multilevel organic sounds and sensitive melodies. Track list includes:  Observation Point; The Enduring Memory; Intercepted At Dawn ; Silver Coins For Silver Eyes; On The Coastline; Come And Go; Skyscape In Infrared; Under The Motion Sensors; Wishes Are Sails and Far In The Horizon. http://www.costasandreou.com

VIBRATION BLACK FINGER - GUADI

The third release from this groundbreaking musical collective – and maybe their most compelling so far! As before, there's a fantastic melange taking place – elements of spiritual jazz, soulful funk, and lots more – but this time around, the sound is even more offbeat – darker in some corners, weirdly calming in others – very much experimenting for its own pleasure, but with results that are extremely pleasing – and hugely different than the kind of contemporary projects that filter down a world's worth of influences, but with an end result of nothing. Instead, VBF manage to sift things around in ways that are completely amazing, and spiritual too – but with a very unique approach. Maggie Nichols sings on two tracks, Ebony Rose on two more, and Nat Birchall plays some great tenor on a spiritual jazz take on "Amazing Grace" – alongside other titles that include "Get Up & Do It", "Got To Believe", "Love & Hate", and "Alive In The Five".  ~ Dusty Groove

ADAM RUDOPLH’S MOVING PICTURES – GLARE OF THE TIGER

The groove of Adam Rudolph just keeps getting deeper over the years – to a point where here, he almost sounds like he's somewhere between the scenes of 70s electric Miles Davis, and some of the later cross-cultural experiments of Bill Laswell! There's a great layering of electric and acoustic elements taking place here – a sound that almost seems to have no beginning or end at points – built up from lots of rootsy percussion from Rudolph, mixed with Fender Rhodes and hammond from Alexis Marcelo, cornet and flugelhorn from Graham Haynes, percussion from Hamid Drake, electric bass from Damon Banks, flutes and reeds from Ralph M Jones, and percussion, Rhodes, and electronics from James Hurt! The track length is nicely varied too – some long extrapolations, shorter bursts, and mid-level musical journeys – on tracks that include "Glare Of The Tiger", "Dialogics", "Ciresque", "Ecstaticized", "Wonderings", "Lehra", and "Rotations". (Limited to just 300 copies – includes download!)  ~ Dusty Groove

The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Announces Kick-Off Events for Upcoming Fall Season

Season Begins with NPR's "Jazz Night in America" October 24th and The Orchestra's Showcase Concert October 26th at the New Orleans Jazz Market

The Grammy-Award Winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra announces two events that will kick-off its official Fall Season starting with NPR's "Jazz Night in America" featuring Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah on October 24th and the Jazz Orchestra's Showcase Concert on October 26th.  Both performances are to be presented at the New Orleans Jazz Market (1436 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70113) with doors opening at 6pm and performances at 7:30pm.  More events to be announced soon and tickets are available at www.TheNOJO.com. 

The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra's showcase on October 26th represents the first performance since the organization filled its new leadership roles in 2017. Key leadership roles, as selected by the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra's Board of Directors, now consist of Artistic Director and Bandleader, Adonis Rose, and New Orleans Jazz Orchestra's President and CEO, Sarah Bell.

Additionally, famed Jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis and Arts Educator and Theater Executive Cassie Worley join longtime supporters Dee Dee Bridgewater and Mikki Shepard as the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra's Artistic Development Committee continues to take shape.

Rose, a New Orleans native, is a globally acclaimed, Grammy-Award Winning drummer who has performed with some of the world's most esteemed Jazz artists, from nine-time Grammy winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis to three-time Grammy Winning vocalist Dianne Reeves to Jazz/Pop entertainer Harry Connick Jr. He is a graduate from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. "We are excited to have the orchestra performing again at the Jazz Market and moving in a positive direction," says Artistic Director Adonis Rose. "Good things are to come!"

Sarah Bell, a 10-year Central City resident, has been a long-time champion of New Orleans culture through her work with local and national non-profits. Bell joined the organization in 2014 and was appointed by the Board as President and CEO in February 2017 to maintain and solidify community programming and shift the organization's focus to the future. "Our devoted Board of Directors, generous individual supporters, and dedicated corporate sponsors have given us the margin to continue focusing on what we do best, which is providing authentic and meaningful experiences through the lens of Jazz. Our community programming has continued to thrive and with the return of extraordinary music to the Market, we are eager to reveal the future of our organization," states Bell.

Daryl Byrd, President and CEO of Iberiabank and member of the NOJO Board's Executive Committee notes, "The Jazz Market has been a staple on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard since it opened in 2015 by consistently offering resources for children, musicians, and nonprofits. We're proud of Sarah's commitment to the community by already providing over 400 hours of community-based programming and support in 2017 and we are thrilled to have Adonis bring back the music."

The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to continue and strengthen the legacy of Jazz throughout local and global communities by providing access to unparalleled performances, creative gathering places, and authentic community engagement. We move forward in our mission with the Grammy Award-winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and the New Orleans Jazz Market; the only stand-alone facility built specifically for Jazz in New Orleans.  The NOJO prides itself in working with the community to offer services to local non-profits and musicians as well as educational opportunities for area youth.

Diana Krall Announces Third Leg Of Turn Up The Quiet North American Tour Dates

Multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning jazz pianist and world-renowned singer, Diana Krall will return to North America in January for the third US leg of her "Turn Up The Quiet World Tour."  The tour kicks off on January 30th in Clearwater, FL at the Ruth Eckerd Hall and will visit major venues and cities including the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, FL, 2 nights at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville (where Diana and her band will be accompanied by the Nashville Symphony), as well as The Symphony Hall in Atlanta, GA before concluding at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on February 24th.  For a complete list of dates and for local on-sale information, please visit www.dianakrall.com

Krall recently wrapped the second leg of her North American tour with two incredible nights at The Hollywood Bowl in August, along with a stellar performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Click here to watch: http://abc.tv/2xTLMai.

"Turn Up The Quiet World Tour" features material from Krall's stunning new album Turn Up The Quiet out now on Verve Records as well as a mix of some of Diana fans' favorites. Earning critical praise, MOJO Magazine called the new album "spectacular" and said Krall was "on top form."  People Magazine said, "Diana Krall's new music will have fans falling for her all over again." 

Diana Krall is the only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. To date, her albums have garnered five Grammy® Awards, eight Juno® Awards and have also earned nine gold, three platinum and seven multi-platinum albums. Krall's unique artistry transcends any single musical style and has made her one of the most recognizable artists of our time.

Diana Krall - World Tour 2017-2018  Dates

01/30/2018 / Clearwater, FL /Ruth Eckerd Hall

01/31/2018 / Fort Myers, FL / Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

02/1/2018 / Fort Lauderdale, FL / Broward Center for the Performing Arts

02/3/2018 / Orlando, FL /  Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts

02/5/2018 / Melbourne, FL / King Center for the Performing Arts

02/6/2018 / Sarasota, FL / Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

02/7/2018 / Jacksonville, FL / The Florida Theatre

02/9/2018 / Atlanta, GA / Atlanta Symphony Hall

02/10/2018 / Charleston, SC / Charleston Gaillard Center

02/11/2018 / Asheville, NC / Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

02/13/2018 / Nashville, TN / Schermerhorn Symphony Center

02/14/2018 / Nashville, TN / Schermerhorn Symphony Center

02/16/2018 / Augusta, GA / Miller Theater

02/17/2018 / Durham, NC / Durham Performing Arts Center

02/18/2018 / Charlotte, NC / Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

02/20/2018 / Richmond, VA / Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Arts Center

02/21/2018 / Newport News, VA / Ferguson Center for the Arts

02/23/2018 / Brookville, NY / Tilles Center for the Performing Arts

02/24/2018 / Port Chester, NY / The Capitol Theatre

NEW RELEASES: JOHANNES LINSTEAD - AZUL; BRENDAN ROTHWELL – TIME ON MY HANDS; RUN N' FLY

JOHANNES LINSTEAD - AZUL

A new collection of deeply moving, melodic music from one of the world’s best selling jazz and world music guitarists, Canadian-born, Johannes Linstead. Inspired by the color of the tropics and exotic travels to warm climates, AZUL, is infused with glorious tropical vibes and spirited Caribbean rhythms. Recorded in his home away from home, the Dominican Republic, the album’s title (“blue” in English) comes from his musing about the sky’s reflection on the ocean. In addition to blending festive, high energy rock influences with Santana-esque graceful ballads, Linstead sets himself apart from other guitarist/composers with his artful, emotionally compelling interplay of electric and acoustic guitar melodies and harmonies on many of the songs. For the first time in his nearly 20 year recording career, he offers up vocals effortlessly in both Spanish and English. Slip away... into the Azul and find your home away from home. ~ smoothjazz.com

BRENDAN ROTHWELL – TIME ON MY HANDS

Canadian composer, bassist and producer Brendan Rothwell cites Marcus Miller’s work on Miles Davis’ classic recording TUTU as the reason he chose his lead instrument. On his debut album TIME ON MY HANDS, he emphatically bucks the trend of the bass being in the background. Optimizing the tone, scale, feeling and musicality of the instrument, he showcases its ability to stir melodic excitement while creating deep, hypnotic rhythms. While his soulful, funky fluidity often brings to mind the coolness of the late Wayman Tisdale, there’s also an atmospheric, trippy and mystical exploratory vibe influenced by Miller’s slow simmering fusion style. Fans of Stanley Clarke and Brian Bromberg will be fully engaged as well. You’ll enjoy keeping time with Time On My Hands! ~ smoothjazz.com

RUN N’ FLY – RUN N’ FLY

Veteran Brazilian born, New York based guitarist, composer and producer Sandro Albert teams up with his fellow countryman, renowned artist and master lyricist Manu Lafer to create Run N’ Fly – an outstanding, Steely Dan-esque musical collective featuring top New York session musicians and singers, as well as legendary Jazz/R&B drummer Omar Hakim. Combining Albert’s infectious, relentlessly grooving old school R&B/Funk and contemporary urban jazz vibes with Lafer’s fertile imagination and whimsical storytelling, Run N’ Fly creates a quirky yet powerful homage to some of our greatest and most beautiful female icons, and some obscure ones for good measure, starting with the irrepressible first single “Daughter of Cain,” inspired affectionately by Israeli actress Yuval Scharf. ~ smoothjazz.com

Vocalist Hilary Gardner + Pianist Ehud Asherie Present The Late Set on Anzic Records

Acclaimed vocalist Hilary Gardner and pianist Ehud Asherie present The Late Set, due out October 27, 2017 on Anzic Records. On The Late Set we find Gardner's graceful vocals in harmonious and rhythmic accord with the lush urbanity of Asherie's pianism. The duo holds the listener in rapt attention with their elegant interpretations, illuminating the subtleties and beauty of songs both familiar and obscure by some of the Great American Songbook's finest composers.

The Late Set is a follow-up to Gardner's debut album, The Great City (also an Anzic Records release), which closes with Gardner and Asherie's playful, painterly piano/vocal rendition of Nellie McKay's "Manhattan Avenue," a 21st-century neo-standard. The Late Set picks up that musical thread and travels back in time, as long ago as 1918's "After You've Gone" (the most recent song on the album, "Make Someone Happy," was written in 1960). Most of the album is devoted to seldom-performed songs with important commonalities: evocative lyrics, rich harmonic possibilities, and that most abstract of qualities, a vibe. 

Gardner and Asherie first began making music together about ten years ago, when Gardner was finishing her classical voice degree at Brooklyn College. "A mutual friend knew I needed an accompanist for my upcoming senior recital and he introduced us. The first music Ehud and I ever played together was a recital of European art songs. From our first rehearsal, it became clear that Ehud and I shared a musical simpatico. We'd rehearse the classical songs, then just play standards together for hours." Gardner continues, "Ehud and I believe that standards are our modern-day art songs, written by some of America's greatest composers and lyricists."

Gardner and Asherie evoke a bygone era of music making with their repertoire choices as well as their approach to the recording process. On December 10, 2016, the duo was joined by Grammy-winning producer Eli Wolf (Norah Jones, Bill Charlap) at Systems Two Recording Studios in Brooklyn, where they recorded the album in one session. In the spirit of classic mid-century "after-hours" jazz recordings, The Late Set eschews intricate arrangements, odd meters, and modern re-harmonizations in favor of straightforward, affecting musicianship, rendered with care and joie de vivre.

"Ehud and I are friends and musicians who happen to love these songs and want to share them as they are," Gardner explains. "We're not trying to be hip or re-invent the songs on The Late Set. We want to simply present these songs earnestly and lovingly, staying faithful to the melody and lyrics, playing within-not around, or in spite of-the structure. No matter how many times we perform them, these songs continue to reveal themselves to us in new ways."

Asherie muses, "The intimacy and sparseness of the piano/vocal format gives us a lot of freedom. Each song is its own little universe, with endless interpretive possibilities."

The duo consider The Late Set to be both a culmination of the partnership they forged a decade ago as well as a new beginning: they're continually adding to their repertoire and look forward to exploring and celebrating the timeless music of the Great American Songbook together for years to come.

  

Hilary Gardner has been named an "an artist to watch" and a Rising Star Female Vocalist by DownBeat Magazine. In 2010 she was the live, onstage vocalist in Twyla Tharp's Broadway homage to Frank Sinatra, Come Fly Away. Hilary is a founding member of DUCHESS, a close-harmony vocal trio with two critically lauded albums to their credit. In addition to performing at festivals throughout the United States, Canada, and Israel, the trio has enjoyed sold-out performances at New York City's Jazz at Lincoln Center, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, and the Rubin Museum. Hilary was Jeff Goldblum's special guest on the opening night of his run at the legendary Café Carlyle, prompting New York Magazine to call hers "a voice worth seeking out." She has also appeared on NPR as Michael Feinstein's guest on Song Travels with Michael Feinstein and Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired on SiriusXM. Her sophisticated, swinging brilliance is showcased on her critically acclaimed recording debut, The Great City, and now, The Late Set.

Ehud Asherie, "a master of swing and stride" (The New Yorker), is a jazz pianist who integrates the venerable New York piano tradition into his inventive style. Largely self-taught, or rather, "old-schooled," Asherie learned the ropes at Smalls, spending the wee small hours of his early teens becoming a fixture of the late-night jam sessions. From Smalls to the Rainbow Room, from Lincoln Center to The Village Vanguard, Ehud has since worked with a broad range of musicians including: Eric Alexander, Roy Ayers, Peter Bernstein, Jesse Davis, Bobby Durham, Vince Giordano, Wycliffe Gordon, Scott Hamilton, Catherine Russell, Ken Peplowski, and Clark Terry. Ehud's playing can be heard on countless recordings, including the 2010 Grammy Award-winning soundtrack of HBO's Boardwalk Empire. He recently released his twelfth album as a leader, entitled Shuffle Along (Blue Heron Records), a solo piano performance of Eubie Blake songs from the musical Shuffle Along.

www.hilarygardner.com

www.ehudpiano.com

Selina Albright’s successful “Conversations” makes Christmas Tour with Koz “Possible”

Multi-format radio play, favorable reviews and a busy concert calendar boost the R&B-jazz singer’s debut album.

It is mid-September yet R&B-jazz singer Selina Albright has already booked her holiday season travel plans thanks in part to a pair of buzzworthy singles at multiple radio formats along with enthusiastic reviews for her debut album, “Conversations,” which was issued on the Golden Rays Music label. Albright was invited to embark upon a 24-city U.S. concert tour as the featured vocalist on the Dave Koz 20th Anniversary Christmas Tour during which the smooth soul singer will share the spotlight with the charismatic saxophonist and his fellow contemporary jazz luminaries David Benoit, Rick Braun and Peter White. The tour kicks off November 24 in Atlanta and wraps December 23 in Cerritos, California.  

Even before “Conversations” dropped, Albright, who co-produced three songs and wrote the album’s candid and confessional lyrics that she describes as “like my own therapeutic diary,” captured attention and charted at smooth jazz outlets globally with the lead single, “Eat Something,” an empowering mid-tempo R&B ode to self-love that celebrates comfort and security in a romantic relationship by packing on a few pounds. The song, bolstered by slick guitar licks from Kay-Ta Matsuno, immediately connects with listeners – especially women – who called radio stations to request the cut that premiered nationally on SiriusXM Watercolors’ Dave Koz Lounge. “Eat Something” has now crossed over to urban adult contemporary (UAC) radio - including at SiriusXM’s UAC programming – and is gobbling up airplay. 

While the first single continues its chart ascent at UAC radio, smooth jazz programmers have embraced the follow-up, “Possible,” another affirmation of self-acceptance. Albright explains, “I wrote ‘Possible’ with hope of finding that one person who would make me feel loved and accepted just as I am. Now that I’m married to that person, I've found that it’s equally important - if not most important - to accept myself. That’s when the light bulb truly came on for me! My heart and mind opened to new possibilities, and I was able to experience the freedom and fearlessness I was put on this earth to achieve. I believe we all have to peel our own layers of doubt away and be true to ourselves in order to live our lives to the fullest. This is why the (accompanying) music is minimal for much of the song. I needed the focus to be on the message so that listeners could celebrate - not suppress - their zest for life.”

The daughter of multiple Grammy nominee and contemporary jazz sax titan Gerald Albright, Selina grew up in the company of her father’s colleagues, but has relied on the power and grace of her vocal gifts to pave her own way. For more than a decade, she has toured and recorded with a wide array of notables in jazz, R&B and EDM. In recent years, she’s been featured on Benoit’s A Charlie Brown Christmas Tour and is fond of touring during the holiday season.

"I really love touring during Christmas because I see nothing but smiles from the stage. It's as if barriers can finally come down for the season, and we can all relax and focus on what's important: friends, family, love and music!” said the radiant and shapely Albright, who continues her Conversations Tour until the Christmas tour commences. "Dave Koz, Peter White, Rick Braun and David Benoit have been part of my adoptive musical family for years. So for me, the Koz Christmas Tour will be a special reunion when we can celebrate each other's talents while on stage together. This is one tour that I know the people will feel the joy and love in the music! And, of course, music aside, the food enthusiast in me cannot wait to enjoy the local cuisine in each city we visit."

“Conversations” was produced by Chris “Big Dog” Davis, James “JRob” Roberson and Albright, and contains performances by Gerald Albright, White, Matsuno, Randy Ellis and David P. Stevens. Below are excerpts from a sampling of album reviews:    

“One of the brightest new stars in that crossover galaxy somewhere between contemporary jazz and R&B.” – Smooth Jazz Therapy

“Selina blossoms fully as a transcendently soulful, urban jazz/R&B singer-songwriter.” – SmoothJazz.com

“Albright brings her brand of fiery, soul-reaching music right to where you live, keeping you riveted to her charm. This is her debut album, but those of us who’ve witnessed her live knew what to expect when she finally unleashed this beauty.” – The Smooth Jazz Ride

“Albright channels her R&B side that shares her heart on both sleeves. Backed by production from James Roberson and Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis, Albright’s flexible pipes and songwriting unquestionably steals the spotlight.” – The Urban Music Scene

“Selina delivers her own therapeutic diary, in a soft soul and sultry jazz setting.”- Keys & Chords

“Selina pushes the envelope in R and B with a stylish nod to jazz with a really identifiable vocal sound.” – The Hollywood Times

For more information, including a complete concert itinerary, please visit www.SelinaAlbright.com.

Columbia Records To Release Johnny Mathis Sings The Great New American Songbook

Columbia Records has announced legendary vocalist Johnny Mathis will release his new album, Johnny Mathis Sings The Great New American Songbook on September 29. The eagerly awaited album features 11 inspired Mathis interpretations of prevailing current songs that comprise the modern great American songbook, all imbued with the iconic vocalist's indelible touch. 

Produced by Grammy winning music greats Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds and Clive Davis, Johnny Mathis Sings The Great New American Songbook features a matchless array of modern day 'standards' christened by Mathis' intuitive delivery, (full track listing below). Among the songs included are "Hello," originally recorded by Adele, "Happy," originally recorded by Pharrell, the aforementioned "Hallelujah," originally recorded by Leonard Cohen, "You Raise Me Up," originally recorded by Josh Groban, "I Believe I Can Fly," originally recorded by R. Kelly, "Just The Way You Are," originally recorded by Bruno Mars, and "Run To You," (featuring Kenny G) originally recorded by Whitney Houston.

One of the seminal voices of popular music, Johnny Mathis has attained unparalleled achievement as a recording artist and live performer in an incredible career that has spanned more than six decades. Universally recognized for his inimitable artistry and signature renderings of the American song catalogue, his vast stylistic range has encompassed romantic interpretations of jazz and pop standards, music composed for stage and film, contemporary pop hits, and holiday music both sacred and secular, enduring as one of the most acclaimed traditional pop vocalists in music history.

Johnny Mathis Sings The Great New American Songbook Tracklisting:

Hallelujah

Once Before I Go

Blue Ain't Your Color

You Raise Me Up

Say Something

Just The Way You Are

I Believe I Can Fly

Remember When

Happy

Hello

Run To You (feat. Kenny G)

NEW RELEASES: A BRAND NEW ME: ARETHA FRANKLIN WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA; KENNY LATTIMORE - VULNERABLE; MUSIQ SOULCHILD - FEEL THE REAL

ARETHA FRANKLIN - A BRAND NEW ME: ARETHA FRANKLIN WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Aretha Franklin With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra pairs classic vocals from some of the most iconic songs that the Queen of Soul recorded for Atlantic Records with new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. A Brand New Me features Franklin’s instantly recognizable voice woven together with new orchestral arrangements. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra recorded the music at Abbey Road Studios in London, with brand new backing vocals led by Grammy®-winning singer Patti Austin. The result is another timeless record that retains the soul, groove, and gospel power of Franklin’s revered talent. Among the standout tracks are newly re-imagined versions of classics like the Billboard #1 R&B hits “Respect,” “Think,” “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied),” and “Angel.”

KENNY LATTIMORE - VULNERABLE

Growing up in Washington, D.C., Lattimore was raised on gospel music and such R&B/pop icons as Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. A true singer's singer whose impressive range is influenced by everything from jazz to funk to gospel to soul, Lattimore's classic crooning is never overwrought with excessive runs; but instead consistently delivers just the right dose of authentic emotion he has come to be known for after more than two decades of making hits like Grammy-nominated single, "For You." Lattimore's body of work include his first top 40 hit, "Never Too Busy," critically acclaimed sophomore album From the Soul of a Man and two top-10 charting duet albums with singer Chanté Moore: Things That Lovers Do and the gospel/R&B double-CD Uncovered/Covered followed by Lattimore's solo covers album, Timeless in 2008 and Anatomy of a Love Song in 2015. In 2016, Lattimore released "A Kenny Lattimore Christmas," an 11-song holiday project that garnered a #3 position on the Billboard Gospel Albums Chart. Lattimore is set to release his 9th studio album, Vulnerable, a carefully curated collection of 10 songs that embody Lattimore's unique ability to create music that is infinitely relatable and consistently captures what it means to be in love. The album's first single, PUSH delivers a retro-R&B sound and showcases an edgier side to the silky singer as his emotive delivery paints a picture of a man who realizes he has made a mistake by pushing away the love of his life; once again laying bare the inner workings of a man's mind and hearts of women for listeners. The R&B mainstay has a collection of Soul Train and Stellar Awards nominations as well as an NAACP Image Award for Best New Artist.

MUSIQ SOULCHILD -  FEEL THE REAL

Musiq’s no nonsense conversational songwriting style and buttery vocals earned him a recording contract as he took on an illuminating, life-changing last name. Musiq Soulchild was born. Everything down to his meticulous throwback soul man image (his trademark apple jack cap and designer shades) screamed SUPERSTAR. Soon Musiq’s name was being mentioned alongside modern day R&B royalty like Erykah Badu, R. Kelly, Usher, D’Angelo, Maxwell, and Jill Scott. But he wanted more. “Truthfully, the success I had out the gate was different than how people now make it out to be,” Musiq recalls. “I didn’t have a chance to revel in that amazing moment of having my first two albums go platinum. I was dealing with political issues, writers, producers, and managers. The labels were trying to get me to be something that I didn’t want to be. I’m from the streets, so I wasn’t use to people telling me what to do [laughs]. It turned into, ‘Well, if you want this check you might want to compromise.’ But even with that negative experience, I got to do what I love, which is inspire people.” Musiq Soulchild’s Grammy nominated Life on Earth in 2016 represented an intriguing chapter in the striking career of an artist who continues to search for new muses; new sounds. With “Feel The Real” the future is now.

NEW RELEASES: JAREZ – BLOW YOUR MIND; JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS - HANDFUL OF KEYS; EMI MEYER - MONOCHROME

JAREZ – BLOW YOUR MIND

The title of saxophonist Jarez’s debut To The Top, proved prophetic a few years later when he became a Smooth Jazz chart sensation with his mix of sensuality and soulful funk-fire. The innovative artist, who cut his musical teeth for years recording, touring and handling business affairs for rap great Coolio, takes his super blend of urban jazz and hip-hop to the next level with Blow Your Mind. The mix of high-energy dance floor jams and late night romances (one featuring the lush vocals of Selina Albright) showcases his sonic mastery as he fuses contemporary jazz and adventurous electronica textures. The title Blow Your Mind tells you everything that’s gonna to happen when you hit play on his best album to date! ~ smoothjazz.com

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS - HANDFUL OF KEYS

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and special guests take you through 100 hundred years of jazz piano on Handful of Keys. Star pianists Joey Alexander, Dick Hyman, Myra Melford, Helen Sung, Isaiah J. Thompson, and the JLCO's own Dan Nimmer grab hold of all 88 keys and reveal the full extent of the piano's evolution over the 20th century. Recorded on opening night of the 2016-17 Jazz at Lincoln Center season, Handful of Keys showcases a band in full stride, burning through electric arrangements of beloved compositions from James P. Johnson, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, and more. With guests ranging in age from 13-year-old prodigy Alexander (recently featured on '60 Minutes') to 89-year-old American treasure Hyman, Wynton Marsalis and the JLCO survey jazz piano's past and give the stage to several prodigies who are taking the instrument in bold new directions.

EMI MEYER - MONOCHROME

With an interesting blend of jazz, soul and pop, Tokyo-based singer/songwriter Emi Meyer has carved out a wide-ranging career in Japan with her songs featured in TV, movies and advertising, and her performances ranging from small jazz clubs to major stages throughout Asia. For her debut U. S. recording, Meyer combines music from a set recorded in Paris with Belgian pianist Eric Legnini's French quartet, and new originals recorded in Seattle and featuring guitarist Dan Balmer & pianist Dawn Clement. From her own compositions to classics like 'I'd Rather Go Blind' from Etta James' songbook, Michael Buble's 'Home,' or 'What A Wonderful World,' Emi's intimate readings project poignancy and grace, tying them all together in an engaging package.